Engine



July 14, 1931. Y. NAKAGAWA 1,814,489

ENGINE Filed 06%. 28, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Inventor YES/12b jFh/ta awa gwwa A ttomey 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Juiy 14, 1931. Y. NAKAGAWA ENGINE Filed 05313. 28. 1929 Inventor 766' Feb f/ g'ajawa itorney July 14, 1931. NAKAGAWA 1,814,489

ENGINE Filed Oct. 28, 1929 s Sheets-Sheet s Inventor A tiorney 7 m I; M m a R mm {Q M Q @w W M 5 v t N8 W y E B Patented July 14, 1931 1103 210 iiziKAGAw'i i, e11 snowmen, CAZIEibfEINLP-Q E'I'TGINE This invention relates broadly to engines, and has more particular reference to'en'gines of the coil' spri 1g type. r

A primary'ohject of this inventionisjtherotore toprovicle an iinprovecl' coil spring eningapl-urahty of coil'edsprings, shaft driven from the springs; a power shaft, the invention further consisting in' the provision of an engine of this'type embodya suitable transmission mechanism, means for controlling the speed of theen'gine together \vithan independently controlled mot-oi for recoiiing' the springs.

A still further object of this sinventibnais as proide coil spring engine fully capable of cloii'ig such work as required by an engine' andi which is especially adaptable for use as asource of power for the locomotion of automobiles and similar vehicles;

A still further object oftheiinventiontistb provide an engine of the cl'1ar actr above mentioned, which is comparatively siinp'lein oonst'ructionyand \vheleinthe saine embodies many advantages over knovvn engines of this type andwhich Willbe fonnd'very 'usefnlfor automobiles andsimilar velliclesin view of its simplicity, thus eliminatingall thecoinplicatecl and intricate parts of-a gasoline en- 'gine now used for such pnrposesl V A still further object o'fthe: invention is to provide" an engine of the above character, wherein its simplicityof cioiistriic'tion" insures lessLpossib-ility of tronhle and wherein the engine Willbe rugged durahle'; eliminating all fine p'art's'Wihich ma h'e-i ncofistant need of a'ojnstinent or sns 'eptillle to breakage, and "which winpijcve to be 'tho-rdu'gl' ysafe'ih operation, free of such s'otirce s' of d as is attended internal coinh engines, and

otherwise proving inexpensive, re iiires but little care and attention and] wherein the same will be free from all other such'tronhles' as are attended other known typ s of niachinei'y and as a suhstitntion' ituch known machinery an engine of this character tvill he found ve'ryadvantageous;

Other objects and advantagesof'thein;- vention Wil become apparent during a 'st'ndy oi the followingidescriPtion-taken in connection With the accompanying d'ravviiws, wherein a i v Figure 1 isna lon ndinal sectional View taken IlllOL the engine" embodying the features of l s invention.

Figure an end View thereof. Figure 3 is a VELiiiCiil transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure l. v c,

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on'tlie line 4 -4; of Fig urel r V e @l Figure 5 is a side'velevation ofthe recoil:- ing device; the seine being shown appli' l to theenginei V Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the slidahle friction plates. V v I i.

Fig'in're 7' is a fragmentary detail view partlyciir section and partly in elevation showing the manner ofcoupling the recoiling ineohanisinl'o the engine. 7

With reference more in detail to the clra ings,-it xvi-lithe seen that my engineinclu-des an especially constriieted casing designatedg'enerally by the reference character 5. The casing 5 embodies a platform 6 havingend Walls 7: and 8 risingtherefrom." lA horizontally disposed shaft" 9 isrotatalily suppertedxon the enctwalls 7 and-8, the ends of which shaft 9 extend through anclheyon'd theisaidend ,Wallsl l V .e

.. Mounted onthatportion of the shaft 9 between-the endwalls 7 and 8, and adjacent said end walls are relatively large gcai' Wheels 10.l0. pThesevgear wlieelslO are splind to the'shaft 9":tor rotation with said shaft. Between the gear Wheels 10 and circinnja'c'ent the shaft 9 is a plurality O'fQCGli springs 11 disposedinend to end relation.

The'innerends of the coilispriiigslli are secured to the central shaft 9 in any de sired manner, and the outer ends of the coil springs llare secured to a' shaftl9j as' shown to adYan'tageain'Fi giire The"e @011 'spr s 11 fixed to the shafts- 9 and 12' Work in nnison and provide the necessarypo'Wer for. the enpg-i-ne;

' The gear Wheels 10 and. coil sprin'psll optera'it'e :as annitlhron fh tl'ie-nieclinni of suita'ble-connectingrods havingnuts-13 on their lei) free ends and at the outer sides of the gear Wheels. At one end, the shaft 9 is provided with suitable collars 14 on opposite sides of the wall 7 and at its other end with a collar 15 between the gear wheel 10 and the wall 8 to prevent endwise movement of said shaft 9.

That end of the shaft 9 extending into an end compartment 16 formed in one end of the casing 5 is equipped with a gear wheel 17. This end compartment 16 may be termed the transmission compartment and therein is located the transmission gearing designated generally by the reference character T. \Vithin the compartment 16 is an intermediate shaft 18, one end of which shaft is journalled in the lower end portion of the wall 8 and the other end of the shaft journalled in a bearing 19 formed on the end wall 5 of the housing 5.

The shaft 18 is equipped with a pinion 20 with which the gear wheel 17 is in mesh for imparting rotation to said shaft 18. The shaft 18 also has rotatably mounted thereon three relatively large gear wheels 21. These gear wheels 21 are in mesh with pinions 22 on a power shaft 23. There are three of such pinions 22, one for each of the gear wheels 21. This power shaft 23 has one end journalled in the forward end of the platform 6 as at 24 and its other end in a bearing 25 on the end wall 5.

At said other'end the power shaft 23 extends through the wall 5 and to this power or drive shaft 23 the load to be driven therefrom may be operatively attached in any suitable manner.

Further, it will be seen that the transmission mechanism T also embodies a pair of pinions 26 on the shaft 18 between the gear wheels 21 and these pinions 26 are in mesh with large gear wheels 27 on the shaft 23. Manifestly, rotation of the shaft 23 is caused through the intermeshing of these gears and pinions.

As a suitable brace for the shafts 18 and 23, there is provided a double bearing bracket 28 in the compartment 16 and embodying a lower bearing 29 for the shaft 23 and an upper bearing 30 for the shaft 18.

The invention further comprehends the provlslon of a suitable speed control for the engine. As shown to advantage in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, this mechanism comprises an elongated housing H, which housing H is located in the bottom of the casing 5 beneath the forward end of the platform 6. Extending longitudinally through the housing H and rotatably supported in the end walls of the housing is a shaft 31.

The shaft 31 extends through the forward end wall of the housing H, and the extended end of the shaft is equipped with a pinion 32 with which one of the large gear wheels 27 on the shaft 23 is in mesh. Mounted on the shaft 31 within the housing H is a plurality of spaced apart friction plates 33 adapted to rotate with the shaft 31. Also mounted on the shaft 31 within said housing and between the rotative plates 33 are friction plates 34.

These plates 34 are adapted for sliding movement longitudinally of the shaft 31 but are held against rotation during relative movement of the shaft 31, the upper and lower edges of the plates 34 being operable in longitudinally extending grooves 35 and 36 respectively, the groove 35 being formed in the underface of the platform 6 and the groove 36 being formed in the bottom of the housing H as shown to advantage in Figure 3.

The alternately arranged plates 33 and 34 are disposed on the shaft 31 between the forward end wall of the housing H and a control disc 35, which control disc 35 has an annularly grooved hub 36 slidable on the shaft 31. A coil spring 37 is convoluted about the shaft 31 and has one end thereof impinging against the rear or opposite end wall of the housing H, and the other end of said spring 37 impinges against the hub 36 of the control disc 35.

This housing H is in the nature of a casting and has formed integrally therewith at the forward end thereof a lateral cylinder 38.

fdounted for reciprocatory movement with in the cylinder 38 is a piston 39, the piston rod 40 extending through the closure end plate 41 which is threaded in the open end of the cylinder '38 for normally closing said cylinder. A fork member 42 has the free end of its shank rigidly secured to the outer free end of the piston rod 40 as at 43. The shank of the fork 42 is operable in a suitable slot 44 formed in the side wall of the housing H and the legs 45 of the fork member straddle the hub 36 of the control disc 35, said legs fitting in the groove of the hub 36 as shown to advantage in Figure 1.

To one side of the cylinder 38 the casting designated generally by the reference character C which embodies the housing H and the piston 38 is also formed to provide a fluid compartment 46, with which compartment 46 the cylinder 38 is in communication through the medium of a duct or passage 47. As intimated, the compartment 46 is adapted to be filled with fluid, and mounted for reciprocatory movement within this compartment is a plunger 48.

Any kind of means may be utilized for reciprocating the plunger 48. Manifestly, when a pressure from any suitable source is applied to the plunger 48 for exerting a push upon the plunger, the fluid within the compartment 46 will be forced through the passage 47 and into the cylinder 38. Thus the fluid will exert a pressure on the piston 39 for moving the rod 40 outwardly of the cylinder.

Through the medium of the fork member 42' engaging the hub 36" of the control disc said disc 35" will be moved on the shaft 31 against the action of the spring 37, whereupon the friction plates 33 will be moved out of frictional engagement with the relatively stationary friction plates 34 and the shaft 31 then is free to rotate, whereupon the power-or drive shaft 23 is set in motion through the medium of the transmission gearing T upon the expansion or u-ncoi'ling of'the springs 11. When a pull is exerted on the plunger 48, pressure in the cylinder 38 is decreased and the spring 37 will expand for sliding the control disc 35" to its former position for setting up friction between the plates 33' and 34;, thus resulting in a braking action on the shaft 31 and consequently reducing the speed of the drive shaft 23 or bringing the shaft to a complete stop as may be regulated by the pressure in the cylinder 88 the pressure being controlled by the position of the plunger 48 within the chamber or compartment 46.

A horizontally disposed shaft 51 has its ends j ourna ll ed in and extending through the walls 7 and 8 at the upper ends of said walls.

This shaft 51': extends to one side of the springs 11, said shaft 51 being equipped with pini'ons 52 52 in mesh with the gear wheels 10. Adjacent its ends, said shaft 51 is also equipped with ratchet wheels 5353. ,Dogs 54 are pivotally mounted on the upper ends of saidw alls 7 and 8, the free ends of said dogs engagingwiththe teeth of the ratchet wheels 54 to prevent rotation of the shaft 51 in one direction.

At one end the shaft 51 has a sprocket 53 mounted thereon and the adjacent end of the series of ribs 58.

The purpose of the ribs 58 will be hereinafter more fully setforth. The recoil mechanism for the spring motor comprises a .1 pedestal 59 mounted on rollers 60, and an electric motor 61 is mounted on the top of the portable pedestal 59. A short shaft 62 is keyed as at 63 to the armature shaft 64 of the motor 61. This shaft 62 is provided with an annular series of ribs 65. A hollow connecting shaft or sleeve 66 has a series of annular internal grooves 67 formed therein.

This shaft 66 telescopically receives the shaft 62, the ribs 65 of which are receivable in the grooves 67 for keying said connecting shaft 66 to said shaft 62. At its opposite end, the shaft 66 is adapted to telescopically receive the ribbed end of the shaft 9, the ribs 58 of said shaft 9 being receivable in the grooves 67; Thus the shaft 66 provides an A sprocket chain 56 is trained over At this end, f the shaft 9 is also provided with an annular adjustable connection between the shaft 62 and shaft 9.

The motor 61 is of course controlled from a suitable switch notshown, and when the switch is closed for operating the motor, the

ing in theopposite direction, the dogs 54 thus acting as safety catches topreventcasual unwinding or expansion of the coil springs 11.

After the coils 11 have been fully wound, the connecting shaft 66 may be disengaged from theshaft 9-and then by movingplates33 and 34 out offrictiona'l-engagement with one another in a manner hereinbefore set forth in detail, the engine is set in operation, the a speed of thespring motor orengine, and the starting and stopping thereof, being controlled as has also been hereinbefore clearly set forth.

It is believed that from" the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, a clear understanding of the operation, construction, utility and ad vantages of a coiled spring motor of this character will be had by those skilled in this-art without a more detaileddescription;

EventhoughlI have herein shown and described the preferredembodiment of my in-.

vention, it is to beunderstood that the same is susceptible to such changes fuliy. comprehended by. the spiritof the invention as herein described, andthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described-the invention, what is claimed is: I p v 1 Inanengine ofthe class'dcscribed, a rota'tably mounted shaft', a pair of spacedapart :ge'arsmounted ons'aid shaft', a plurality-of coiled s prin gs circumj acent the shaft between saidgearwheels, said springs being arranged in end to end relation, means operativelyconnecting said springs to each other and said gear wheels, a horizontalshaft, means for rotatably mounting said horizontal shaft, pin- :ions on said horizontalsha ft in mesh with said rotatably mounted shaft, a pair of spaced apart gears mounted on said shaft, a plurality of coiled springs circumjacent the shaft between said gear wheels, said springs being arranged in end to end relation, means operatively connecting said springs to each other and said gear wheels, a horizontal shaft, means for rotatably mounting said horizontal shaft, pinions on the said horizontal shaft in mesh with said gear wheels, a chain and sprocket connection between said shafts, a power shaft, transmission gearing for transmitting the movement of the first-mentioned shaft to said power shaft, fluid pressure control means for controlling the speed of said engine, a prime mover, and including a drive shaft, and means for coupling said drive shaft to the first-mentioned shaft for recoiling said springs.

3. An engine of the class described, a rotatably mounted shaft, a pair of spaced apart gear wheels on said shaft, a plurality of coil springs adjacent said shafts and arranged in end to end relation between said gear wheels, means operatively connecting said springs one with the other, and with said gear wheels, a horizontal shaft, means for rotatably mounting said horizontal shaft, pinions on the horizontal shaft in mesh with said gear wheel, chain and sprocket means operatively connecting said shafts, a prime mover including a shaft, and means operatively connecting the shaft of the prime mover with the first mentioned shaft for recoiling said springs.

4. An engine of the class described, a rotatably mounted shaft, a pair of spaced apart gear wheels on said shaft, a plurality of coil springs adjacent said shafts and arranged in end to end relation between said gear wheels, means operatively connecting said springs one with the other, and with said gear wheels, a

horizontal shaft, means for rotatably mounting said horizontal shaft, pinions on the horizontal shaft in mesh with said gear wheel, chain and sprocket means operatively connecting said shafts, a prime mover including a shaft, means operatively connecting the shaft of the prime mover with the first mentioned shaft for recoiling said springs, a power shaft, means for transmitting movement 'of said first shaft to said power shaft, friction clutch means operatively associated with the power shaft for controlling the speed of said power shaft.

5. An engine of the class described, a rotatably mounted shaft, a pair of spaced apart gear wheels on said shaft, a plurality of coil springs adjacent said shafts and arranged in end to end relation between said gear wheels,

means operatively connecting said springs one with the other, and with said gear wheels, a horizontal shaft, means for rotatably mounting said horizontal shaft, pinions on the horizontal shaft in mesh with said gear wheel, chain and sprocket means operatively connecting said shafts, a prime mover including a shaft, means op-eratively connecting the shaftiof the prime mover with the first-mentioned shaft for recoiling said springs, a power shaft, means for transmitting movementof said first shaft to said power shaft, friction clutch means operatively associated with the power shaft for controlling the speed of said power shaft, and fluid pressure means controlling said clutch means.

6. In an engine of the class described, a spring motor including a shaft driven thereby, a prime mover, means for transmitting power from said prime mover to said spring motor for recoiling the springs of said motor, a spring actuated hydraulic controlled friction disc brake for controlling the speed of said spring motor, and including a rotatable shaft, a power shaft adapted to be driven by said spring motor, and transmission gearing connecting the shaft of said spring motor with said power shaft and with the shaft of said brake.

7 An engine of the character described comprising in combination a spring motor including a shaft driven thereby, a prime mover, means for coupling the shaft of the prime mover to the first mentioned shaft for recoiling the springs of said spring motor, a multiple friction disc hydraulic controlled brake including a shaft, and transmission gearing operatively connecting the shaft of said spring motor with the shaft of said brake.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

YO SHIO NAKAGAWA. 

